NFL Rebels: How former Ole Miss players performed in the opening weekend of 2023
OXFORD, Miss. — (Release) The Ole Miss football program continues to shine in the professional league with 32 former Rebels on NFL rosters (practice squads included), including star wideouts A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Elijah Moore.
Overall, 19 of them played in the opening week of the 2023 regular season. Here’s a rundown of how each NFL Rebel performed:
#34 Brandon Bolden | RB | Las Vegas Raiders
Appeared on 11 snaps on special teams in Raiders’ season-opener.
#64 Nick Broeker | OG | Houston Texans
Did not see any action in Week 1.
#11 A.J. Brown | WR | Philadelphia Eagles
Hauled in seven receptions for 79 yards in the Eagles’ season-opening victory over the Patriots 25-20.
#76 Ben Brown | OGÂ | Seattle Seahawks
Did not see any action in Week 1 of competition.
#21 Zach Evans | RB | Los Angeles Rams
Did not see any action in Week 1 of competition.
#17 Evan Engram | TE | Jacksonville Jaguars
Caught five passes for 49 yards in the Jaguars’ 31-21 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.
#24 AJ Finley | S | Los Angeles Chargers
Did not see any action in Week 1 of competition.
#21 Mike Hilton | CB | Cincinnati Bengals
Recorded four total tackles, including one solo stop against the Browns.
#18 Malik Heath | WR | Green Bay Packers
Appeared on 29 offensive snaps in his NFL debut.
#94 Benito Jones | DT | Detroit Lions
Registered four total tackles, including three solo stops as the Lions upset the Chiefs.
#97 D.J. Jones | DT | Denver Broncos
Tallied two tackles with an assisted tackle.
#31 Jaylon Jones | CB | Chicago Bears
Competed on two defensive snaps against the Packers.
#88 Dawson Knox | TE | Buffalo Bills
Caught three passes for 25 yards in Bills’ matchup against the Jets on Monday Night Football.
#33 Deane Leonard | CB | Los Angeles Chargers
Appeared on 18 snaps on special teams.
#14 D.K. Metcalf | WR | Seattle Seahawks
Caught three passes for 47 yards, including one for a touchdown in the Seahawks’ season-opener.
#15 Jonathon Mingo | WR | Carolina Panthers
Recorded two receptions for 17 yards in his NFL-debut.
#33 A.J. Moore | S | Tennessee Titans
Did not see any action in Week 1 of competition.
#8 Elijah Moore | WR | Cleveland Browns
Hauled in three passes for 43 yards, with a long reception of 33 yards. Moore also tallied 19 rushing yards on two attempts in Browns’ victory.
#70 Royce Newman | OL | Green Bay Packers
Competed for 11 snaps, including seven on the offensive line in the Packers’ win against the Bears.
#41 Otis Reese IV | LB | Tennessee Titans
Appeared on 18 special teams snaps in his NFL debut.
#93 Mark Robinson | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Saw action on 17 snaps with special teams.
#95 Tavius Robinson | OLB | Baltimore Ravens
Appeared on seven snaps, forcing a quarterback hurry against the Houston Texans in his NFL debut.
#78 Laremy Tunsil | OT | Houston Texans
Started and played 77 offensive snaps at left tackle against the Ravens.
#54 Sam Williams | DE | Dallas Cowboys
Played 34 snaps, tallying two assisted tackles and three quarterback pressures in the Cowboys’ victory over the Giants.
INJURED RESERVE
Marquis Haynes Sr. | OLB | Carolina Panthers
Matt Corral | QB | New England Patriots
Kenny Yeboah | TE | New York Jets
PRACTICE SQUAD
Mason Brooks | OT/OG | Washington Commanders
Chance Campbell | ILB | Tennessee Titans
Snoop Conner | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars
DeMarquis Gates | LB | Chicago Bears
Braylon Sanders | WR | Miami Dolphins
Laquon Treadwell | WR | Baltimore Ravens
Hotty Toddy to these former Rebel greats!
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
